iWork4Him PowerThought

Our country needs healing, and it starts with bringing healing to your workplace. Frederick Buechner once said, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." I believe the greatest need is the healing of the lost and broken. Likely you have noticed brokenness in your workplace that needs to be healed. What are you doing about it? Praying about it? Seeking to understand it? Trying to find the person who is causing the brokenness? In our workplaces, we often find broken people bring their brokenness to work with them, and it multiplies. It's one reason you as a Jesus-follower are there. That brokenness needs healing, and you know the best healer in the world. Remember, since we follow Jesus, we are healers too.

Our country needs healing, and it starts with bringing healing to your workplace. You may be saying to yourself, but how do I bring healing to my workplace when I am so broken myself? As a Jesus-follower, you serve the ultimate healer. For the woman at the well, he didn't just give her water; he gave her healing from the inside out. She was a broken woman who had been married five times. No matter what is broken inside of you, Jesus can handle it. In Luke 4:18, Jesus says, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Remember, Jesus is a healer, and since we follow Jesus, we are healers too.

When we face uncertainly in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God… It's been a long week. It's always a long week. Each week draws attention to the reality of the broken world we live in. Here's a thought. Nothing that happened this week changed your position in eternity. You can be the solid, dependable one for those around you. Pray for healing the divide that the enemy is working so hard to create in our country and our workplaces. Get your strength From the Rock. The Cornerstone. It's time for Jesus followers to recognize our role in bringing hope and healing to a society that is reeling. Remember, you are here on this planet to reassure everyone you meet, Christ-follower, and pre-believer that no matter what, God is on the throne.

When we face uncertainly in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God. Someone around you is Hurting, Frustrated, Angry and Worried. What is your role as a Jesus follower in the workplace? Your role is to not get caught up in political rhetoric or petty grievances. Your role is to start up and get caught up in bringing the healing of Jesus to the hurting and hopeless around you at work. There is no question, our nation needs healing, and we who follow Jesus are the ones responsible for bringing that healing. IT is the role of the believer to introduce those lost and hopeless to the only healing available that lasts. No politician will ever do that. Just remember that no matter what happens, God is on the throne.

When we face uncertainty in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God. As a Jesus-follower, working and living around people who don't know Jesus, what is your role today? Be a purveyor of peace. You don't have the luxury to respond to anyone in anger. Don't get uptight worrying about the effect of the latest news cycle and problems around this world. Don't use your social media to fuel arguments over things that have zero eternal significance. Use your time and your conversations to draw people to Jesus and remember, your role is to be Jesus to those around you, ministering to their hurts and uplifting their hope by reminding them that no matter what, God is on the throne and Jesus is there to save them and bring them life.

When we face uncertainty in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God. One thing this world needs is a people group that is not ruffled by the winds of change, a people of peace in the storms of uncertainty. The Body of Christ is just that group of people. In the early church, they were so NOT rattled that eventually the entire Roman empire was transformed by faith in Jesus. So, it's not a matter of who wins and who loses, in the greater scheme of things, your role at work hasn't changed. You are to minister unto the least of these. You are to remind those around you that Jesus brings you peace and that no matter what happens, God is on the throne.

When we face uncertainty in life, there is one thing to remember, none of what is happening is a surprise to God. People are so polarized, going left, going right, or just sitting out. As a Christ Follower living out your faith at work, what is your role in this? Your role is to represent our Heavenly Father by bringing peace and truth. Your role is to remind whoever you run into that you are not uptight about tomorrow because God is in control. Your role is to remind those around you that no matter what happens, God is on the throne. So today, when you enter your workplace, whether that is in person or online, try to see the people around you with God's eyes and God's heart and love them no matter what.

I'm not sure why Christians celebrate Halloween, but for some reason, we love to be scared. Do you know what's really scary? People who need to know Jesus, who are surrounded by people who know Jesus, and nobody's talking about Jesus. That is really scary. Jesus gave up everything for you and me. Why? So that He could give up everything for everyone you work with too. If we don't tell the people we work with the reason for the hope we have in Jesus, they may remain lost forever. No one needs to preach at your coworkers, you just need to love them and bring prayer, hope and Truth with you wherever you go. This will open up conversations about Jesus and give you a chance to eliminate the scary in someone else's life.

I'm not sure why Christians celebrate Halloween, but for some reason, we love to be scared. Do you know what's really scary? Christians who turn off their faith at work. For some reason, when we go to work, many of us switch off our faith. Did Jesus only die for your Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights? No, he died for all of you, especially your work life. When we bring Jesus to work with us, everyone around us will benefit from Him living in us, whether they believe in Him or not. Flip your faith back on and throw away the switch. The people you work with are counting on it. Romans 12:2 reminds us to let God transform you by changing the way you think…about work. Don't be scary leave your light on at work.

I'm not sure why Christians celebrate Halloween, but for some reason, we love to be scared. Do you know what's really scary? Work without purpose. I often thought about quitting my job to go into full-time ministry because I fought the purposelessness of my job. For those pre-believers in your workplace, it is the opposite. They find all their purpose in their work. It is all that matters to them. They have nothing else to pin their identity on. It is important for all of us to realize that God gave us work as a gift. Not to define us but to bring flourishing in our lives and to bring flourishing in the lives of those we work around. Today, see purpose in your work based on the people you have influence over every day. Don't be scary see purpose.

I'm not sure why Christians celebrate Halloween, but for some reason, we love to be scared. Do you know what's really scary? Living life without loving relationships. As a Christ-follower, you have your church friends and small group as places where you get dependable, loving relationships. For those you work around, that may not be true. In Christ, we have loving relationships based on the commonality of forgiveness and the Truth. When you don't have Christ, you are always trying to prove yourself and earn favor. You are worried there is something you can do to lose a friend. Today at work, start talking to the unlovable, the shy, the hurting, and the lonely. When you minister unto the least of these, Jesus says you are ministering to Him. Don't be scary be loving.

I'm not sure why Christians celebrate Halloween, but for some reason, we love to be scared. Do you know what's really scary? Life without meaning. Imagine living a life without purpose, without hope, without access to the Truth. As a Jesus follower, you don't live that life anymore, but the people you work with do. So many of the people you work with live the Halloween reality every day. They don't know what's around the corner, and darkness is trying to claim them. You are the light of the world—a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. You bring life. You bring hope. You bring light to the darkness. Eliminate the scariness of life today for someone you work with by bringing hope, light, and life into your conversations.

As you woke up today, did you find yourself celebrating the end of the work week? We have all been trained to celebrate weekends and to dread our work. But is that the way God feels? I grew up thinking that work was a result of original sin. That the reason work was evil was that it came from evil. But that was a lie. God created work long before Adam and Eve sinned. God gave us work to be fulfilled and for us to flourish. Now work did get more difficult after Adam and Eve Sinned, but God still wants to walk alongside us in our work. Want proof? Read the biblical history on Abraham and his corporate empire or Joseph and Daniel on their government jobs. God wants to join us in our work, and that is worth celebrating. God has a purpose for your work too. So TGIF today, that's okay but prepare yourself for TGIM come Monday.

During your commute today, whether its walking down the hallway or driving down the highway, what will you think about? Will you be caught up in the stress of the day or will you be preparing your heart for what God is going to do today, alongside you in your work? God set the workplace standard before evil entered our world. He gave Adam a job to name all the animals. An almost impossible task, except that God brought all the animals to him. You see, God doesn't expect us to get the job done without helping us. What if today, on your "way" to work, you spend that time asking God to reveal His purpose in your work and your placement in your workplace. Neither are by accident. How we spend our first moments of the day makes a huge impact on the rest of the day, especially our work. Spend your "commute" wisely today.

When Jim & I were 13 we committed our lives to full-time Christian Ministry. So naturally I thought I would be a pastor's wife or a missionary. I thought I was going to be a youth pastor. When we got married, I naturally thought that ministry was in our future. Martha was right about that. But we were both wrong about the location of our ministry. We kept thinking we were headed for church ministry. But Jim and I are both good at business and we ran an insurance agency. We didn't know our ministry was right there in front of us. We treated people well. But we never saw it as a ministry. In fact, no one ever spoke into our lives that we could have a ministry in our workplace. But we were in ministry and our workplace ministry calling perfectly matched our God given gifts, talents, and abilities. So, are you committed to full-time Christian Ministry? You'll find it at your workplace today!

Do you ever feel like quitting your job? Even though it's a good job and it pays well. We mean quit your perfectly good job so you can go into full time ministry. Have you ever had that thought? If you are like us, you feel the need for significance in your work and you feel like a job in a Church or a Christian non-profit is the only way to go. We are here to help stop the madness. The job that you hold, the work that you do and the people that you work with, none of that is by chance. The people that you work with need to meet Jesus and you may be their only chance. Try this thought on for size. Your workplace is your mission field. Pay attention today at work and see if you meet any people who need to meet Jesus – and don't quit your job.

When you woke up today did you find yourself celebrating the first day of the work week or did you find yourself dreading it? It seems that most of us suffer from TGIF syndrome instead of adopting the TGIM revolution. We need to start Thanking God its Monday. You see, God designed our work to have purpose and fulfillment. He also designed it so that He could work alongside us, bringing us His wisdom along the way. What is it going to take for you to switch from dreading Monday to celebrating it? If you are like me, it is going to take a Romans 12:2 Paradigm Shift. We have to stop copying the Behavior and Customs of this world and allow ourselves to be transformed and allow God to change the way we think. Every Day your work matters to God. Let's start celebrating Mondays.

In 2006 I started a new job commuting 90 miles each way to work. I made a commitment to not turn on the radio on my way into work. I wanted to dedicate that time to pray for my family, my bosses and their families, my co-workers, and my employees. I learned to be quiet and I learned to make notes when I heard things from the Lord in my prayer time. I like to say that it Changed my life. Over the 4 years of this commute, I watched one of my Bosses come to be a Jesus follower and one rededicate his life to Christ. I was able to pray many times with my employees and I was able to demonstrate through service and friendship that my life was changed by Jesus. iWork4Him was launched through this prayer time and the iWork4Him Nation Covenant was birthed out of the process God took me through.

Do you want to see your workplace as a place to live out your faith? Your work is a place where you finally get that chance to be involved in fulltime ministry. Then do these things. 1st Start praying for those you work around, by name every day. 2nd look for ways to serve those same people over and above what your job requires you to do. 3rd look for ways to build a friendship with those you work with, outside of work, where real relationships can develop. 4th Look for ways to pray with people when you see them having a rough day. And 5th, all along be a person of excellence, in your work. Do these things and you will see your workplace transformed by God right before your eyes. We call this the iWork4Him Nation Covenant.

I can't stand getting up any earlier than 6am. Who are these people who love to get up at 4:30am and work out? I find myself resenting them. I have never had the motivation to do anything before 6am, but I do try to make the most of the time from 6am to 7am. This is my quiet time, the time I use to center myself on God by praying for others, studying my bible, and writing in my prayer journal. The days I start with God, are the best days of the week. The days I sleep in and rush into my home office, never go as well. God wants our first hour of the day to remind us of His love for us and to remind us that He wants to be present in our work. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace". If you find your morning anything but peaceful, include God in your routine. Just not before 6am.

Do you sit all day long like I do? I find that somedays, the only exercise I get is walking to the mailbox or the kitchen. I sit in front of this computer and I work. I have come to realize that my body craves exercise. IT craves moving around and getting outside, and when I give my body this activity, my mind seems to settle in, and my work seems to flow easier. My soul needs exercise too. When I exercise my soul through prayer, bible reading and journaling, that exercise prepares me for my workday. God designed our bodies for exercise, Physical movement for our joints, muscles and ligaments and spiritual movement of our heart's minds soul and strength. Proverbs 31:17 says, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." Are you working out your body or your mind? Take time in your morning prep for some spiritual exercise too.

What is the first thing you do in the morning when you get up? Do you look at your phone and check emails before you get out of bed? I find that my best mornings start when I ignore my phone and pop open my bible and my journal instead. Since we really don't know what is ahead in our work today, its important that we spend time with the One who knows what is ahead. When my mind is racing, thinking of my full calendar and the emails I need to return, I find that I push my Father aside. I say I will get back to Him when I have gotten my day in order, but I never do. Psalm 127: 1 says "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." I think that House is you. Start building your days with Him as your foundation and see the difference it makes as you walk together with God in your work.

Did you wake up tired today or press that snooze bar? Did you find yourself scrambling to get ready for that first zoom call of the day? Life and work can be exhausting. What is the best way to prepare your heart for what God has in store for you today at work? I don't think rushing around and running late is helping prepare your heart. For me, it's the still, quiet time, that feeds my soul and prepares me for the unknown ahead in my day. My best days start with quiet time, reading my bible, a devotional and writing in my prayer journal. Mark 1:35 says … "Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer." Jesus made prayer a priority and so should we. Tomorrow, lets get up a few minutes earlier and spend our first moments with Him and feel the difference it makes as we prepare for work.

1 week of PowerThoughts: Topic Preparing your Head, Heart, Mind, Soul and Mouth for Work Preparing to go to work these days looks and feels different. What does that look like for you? Is it showering and getting dressed or throwing on a robe? Maybe, for you, it's having that first shot of caffeine or perhaps its eating that healthy meal or drinking a vitamin filled smoothie. Maybe it involves getting your kids ready or helping your live-in parent get their day started. Whatever your routine, it's that routine that prepares you for your work. As you prep for your day, where does God fit in? You may look good on the outside, and be well fed, but is your soul well fed and prepared. Psalm 5:3 says "Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart." If you missed God in your prep this morning, stop right now and invite Him into your day because He loves you and wants you to be prepared for your work.

What do you do when you're faced with a problem at work? If you're like me, you probably go about trying to find a solution, usually starting with Google! We met and interviewed a remarkable woman named Susan. She went to God first, not google. She asked HIM for the answer to the problem. And kept praying in earnest expectation until He answered. She said to us "God has the answer to every problem, if we'd just ask Him." So, how about you? Are you depending on yourself, Google or asking others first? Or are you praying to the one who has ALL the answers? We invite you, the very next time you're faced with a work challenge, to stop, pray and ask God to give you the answer.

Are you unemployable? The other Day we were talking with Tom and Julie. They own a commercial cleaning franchise. Tom said he is unemployable, so he has to work for himself. Julie said it was true. Some of us are just wired to work in our own business and some of us are built to support those who run their own business. Either way its probably how you were wired. So how about you? Do you celebrate the differences between yourself and the others around you? Some own businesses and some don't. Doesn't make it wrong just different. God has designed us all with our unique set of Gifts Talents and Abilities. All to be used by Him for His glory in our Work. Don't wish you were someone else, celebrate who God made you to be, just like Tom.

Have you ever thought about what you want to be known for? Stephen, an executive we interviewed, says it starts with your personal brand. And your personal brand starts with asking yourself "What do I want to be known for?" So how about you? If your co-workers were asked about you, and who you are, what would they say? We challenge you today, to take this question "What do I want to be known for?" and pen and paper and sit with it until you have an answer. And then, start intentionally beginning to LIVE IT OUT, consistently where you live, work and play. Ephesians 5:15 exhorts us "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Changing the world. We all have that secret desire, don't we? Changing the world in Kingdom terms is not measured in the BIG, the BIGGER and the BIGGEST actions in our life and work. It's the opposite. Changing the world happens, one person, one word and one action at a time. It can be as small as a smile, a kind word, or a self-less act of service. It's counter-intuitive, just like the work of Christ. So how about you? Would you like to change the world? Would you be willing to start today, changing the corner of the world where God has placed YOU? We invite you to start changing the world RIGHT NOW, with ONE smile, ONE kind word, and ONE kind action.

Life/work balance. How many of us have fallen for that myth and tried to make it happen? Only to fail over and over…a business coach we interviewed has a better concept. How about living an INTEGRATED LIFE? One that brings Christ into each aspect of our life and work, so that we are putting The Lord, not our futile "balance" efforts, first. So how about you? Are you ready to live ONE INTEGRATED LIFE, where you represent the Lord, you listen to the Lord, and let Him show you your priorities every day? Join us in this prayer: Father, today, I submit my day, my plans to you. Please show me YOUR PRIORITIES for my day. In Jesus's Name, Amen

Heard this talking with a long-time radio guy: The ability to be with people unlike you, creates strength. The more we are with people unlike us, the better we become. What a unique thought to ponder. I wonder how many of us ever considered the affect or even the benefit of mixing with a different crowd of people? Going to lunch with someone at "another level" in the company, or in another department? Going to an event you've been invited to but know NO ONE. So how about you? When's the last time you mixed it up with people or colleagues unlike you? We challenge you today, to go get uncomfortable, and be around a group of people that are unlike you.

Are you stuck in a rut or comfortably nestled in there? Have you been "doing your Christianity the same way, with the same people, in the same ministry, in the same church? In the same type of work? With the same company?" When's the last time you stopped, poked your head UP OUT OF THE daily rut and asked "Lord, am I doing your will? Am I doing ministry and my work YOUR WAY? Where do YOU want me?" So how about you? When's the last time you considered re-thinking how your walking out your faith? And who you're working or ministering with? When's the last time you got UNCOMFORTABLE, in order to follow The Lord? We invite you TODAY, to ask in prayer "Lord, where do you want me?"

Do you need to be removed? Sometimes, we start something and think we are supposed to stay in it, lead it, and serve it. And, we stay IN IT…sometimes too long. We no longer seek the Lord's counsel about IF we should still BE where He placed us. Sometimes He just wants us to START something, sometimes He wants us to "help get it off the ground", NOT stay and lead it or serve it. Sometimes, the BEST thing we can do for the work He asked us to start is to leave. So how about you? Are you staying in some work or ministry too long? When's the last time you prayed about what God would have you do next? We invite you today, to take your work to the cross and ask "Lord where do you want me? And what would you have me do?"

I try to keep my heart pure and intimate with Christ, so I can be a source of light and encouragement to the people I work with. That's the faith at work philosophy of a millennial professional we interviewed. What a beautiful philosophy of how we can really prepare and BE Christ at work. So how about you? Is your heart pure and intimate with Christ so YOU can be a source of light and encouragement to YOUR co-workers? How about today, before stepping into work, you prayed this prayer: Father, purify my heart, that may I BE Christ to everyone I work with today. Use me Father, to be a source of light and encouragement to everyone I work with. In Jesus's name.

Heard this great reminder from a manager of a Christian Retail company "The biggest challenges in my life and work have been when I have forgotten WHO God is, or WHO I AM in Christ." So how about you? Are you in the midst of a challenge at work? If so, CLING to the words of God. Remind yourself right now who you are IN HIM, not the words of what the world tells you. Here are just a few: I am a child of God, I am Jesus's friend, I am a NEW creation, I am an heir with Christ, I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God and I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

The other day we were talking with Gilbert and MaryAnn. Both had marketplace Miracles in their lives. Gilbert was invited to a bible study meeting by someone at work. He went, heard the gospel, and responded and became a Christ follower. All his co-worker did was ask him. So often that is all it takes. MaryAnn is a singer and has been a Jesus Follower for decades. She was told that she wasn't good enough for country music and that she would never have a country music hit. She kept her eyes and her music on Jesus and had a number 1 hit in the last couple of years. So how about you? Is your life defined by the impossible or improbable? IF not, find a way to let God's power shine through your life today by asking Him to do the impossible in your work.

What's the fastest way to get what you DON'T want? Tell the Lord "I will NEVER _________________" Yep, just ask any other Christ follower who's made the mistake of saying something like that. You WILL end up being exactly where YOU said you would NEVER be or DOING something you said you would never do. Our thoughts are not God's thoughts and His ways are NOT our ways. We don't have the big picture, but God does. So how about YOU? We're challenging you to remove the word NEVER from your vocabulary and to replace it with scripture, such as Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

The concept of FOLLOWING is all the rage these days. And the concept of following started with Jesus. He was the original "person to follow". So, who are YOU following? If you're following someone, you're listening to them, and they are speaking INTO YOU. And do you know who THEY are following and listening to? So how about YOU? If you're following someone other than Jesus, as a "Christian", you may want to take a harder look at who you're following, who that person is and why. How deep is their character and what is their character based on? Perhaps, you'll find they're not following the original. And therefore, neither are you. As our friend Mike Henry says: Be a follower of one.

The art of appreciation. It's a choice. Chuck Swindoll says "Gratitude is a decision of the will, and if a decision of the will, the choice resides squarely with us. Deciding to be thankful is no easy task. It takes work." Using appreciation with others, using it as a tool in you work, for most of us, takes practice. It's a mindset AND a heart-set shift. Most of us WANT and NEED appreciation, regardless of what form it comes in. So how about you? Is the art of appreciation a part of your work style? Your leadership style? We invite you to read one of any number of books, like the 5 Love Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace and start to use appreciation today!

Have you ever considered that God wants to use YOUR business influence, the position He's put you in, as a "platform" for Him? A stage on which to do your work while others watch and see HOW you work? If you lead just ONE person or have interact with groups of people inside OR outside your business, like vendors or, contractors, then you have a platform. A platform designed by GOD for you, for such a time as this. That you would work for His glory, show His characteristics of caring, courage, diligence, fairness, integrity, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness. So how about you? When they watch you work do, they see YOU, or do they see Christ?

Have you ever met someone that lives one integrated life? They seem to flow seamlessly between their work and personal life without pause or care. What is this? It's authenticity. And its attraction is unparalleled. How is it possible? It's living a life based on Godly values. I'd hazard a guess a person like this lives their values in this order: God, Family, and Service. When we LIVE BY our values, decisions are easier, relationships are easier, and knowing where to invest our time, talent and treasure is easier. Because our values ARE our priority. And our heart lines up with our values, and those line up with our thoughts, our thoughts then direct our words and actions. How are YOU living your values at work today?

Sir Isaac Newton once said: If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants. The modern-day faith at work movement, is owed to a handful of willing and sacrificial giants over the past century, beginning in about 1930: R.G. LeTourneau, Dr. Stanley Tam, Bobby Mitchell and Os Hillman, just to name a few. These men have loved the Lord with their entire being, listened to the Lord, obeyed, and then collaborated with LIKE-MINDED people and sought council with fellow Christians. Their life's work laid the foundation for our current Faith at Work theology and practices. They sacrificed their lives, for those of us who are enjoying the freedom to stand for Christ in our work. How are YOU standing for Christ in YOUR work today?

Culture. Webster's defines it in the corporate realm as: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization. How aware are YOU of YOUR COMPANY'S culture? When's the last time you really stopped and took a look at it? How does it align with your OWN personal values as a Christ follower? And if you're a leader, what are you doing to ensure your culture aligns with God's word and will? Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." What is ONE ACTION you will take THIS WEEK, to align YOUR CULTURE with God's will?

72% of people who get up and go to work every day think "nobody cares about me". That's a WHOLE LOT of hurting people that will never experience God's love. So, what if we just took God's love to them? What if there was a chaplain in the workplace that looks just like them, that meets them where they are; to just listen, pray and love them? Workplace chaplains DO exist and are more and more common in today's workplaces! And THAT is the gospel! Echoing Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9, "When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings." So, we challenge you, look into finding a chaplain for your people and transform your workplace into a place where people are loved.

Generosity. Is it an action, a state of the heart, or a mind-set? I heard recently that generosity is BEST when it includes all three and we compare it with IMPACT. Have you ever thought about your giving in this way? That your giving could possibly be leveraged for the highest impact for eternity? What if we all stopped and looked and prayed over the resources we have, and re-committed the 10% tithe of all our income, to MAXIMIZE impact for the Kingdom? Isaiah 32:8 says, "But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity." What will you do today, to put on this new "eternal" mindset of generosity?

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Are you a Christian standing alone in your work or professional life? Are YOU standing alone in OTHER areas of your life? What if you prayed and asked for a group that you could "do life and work" together with? We, as God's creation, were BUILT for community. IF you have no community, you may be operating out of God's will or, slogging or surviving, vs. thriving. We challenge you today, to ask a trusted Christian friend, or to go online and search for a Christ-honoring community to be a part of.

It comes as no surprise that less than 20 percent of Americans regularly attend church. But just about all Americans have a job. So, we COULD say that not everybody has a pastor, but just about everybody has a boss. So how will the other 80% of Americans find out about Jesus Christ if they are not stepping into a church? The current population of the US is about 330 million. So that's 264 Million people that WE can witness to through our daily interactions in our jobs. You are the one that has been chosen. You ARE CHRIST'S AMBASSADOR, for such a time as this. Today, won't YOU PRAY AND COMMIT to BE Christ-like at work, to everyone you work with?

In the past couple of months, I've heard one word repeatedly out of the mouths of followers of Christ who bring their faith into the workplace. INTENTIONALITY. Intentionality is a concept defined as "the power of a mind to stand for things, properties and states of affairs". WAS and IS Jesus intentional? You bet. Should WE be intentional? You bet. HOW DO we shift to this state of intentionality? By starting with the Lord and asking what His intention is for OUR DAY? For OUR WORK? For OUR TEAM and the clients we serve. By the way, the opposite of intentionality is unconsciously or unknowingly. How will YOU shift the mindset of YOUR work from unconscious to INTENTIONAL, for HIS glory?

What do you think would happen to our economy, our country, if all the working Christians decided to "go into ministry"? There would be no "marketplace", our economy would collapse and we would be thrown into chaos. Could it be that is NOT God's plan or design for us? What if each of us were CALLED TO MINISTRY IN OUR WORK, right where we're planted? And that OUR JOB IS our pulpit, our work performance then becomes our Christ-like message and our co-workers our "congregation". Now THAT'S a powerful realistic vision for building the Kingdom. James 2:14 "What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?" Can that kind of faith save anyone? How will YOU SHIFT your work to be a ministry TODAY?

Humility. The term "humility" comes from the Latin word humilitas, a noun related to the adjective humilis, which can be translated as "humble", but also as "grounded", or "from the earth", since it derives from HUmus (earth). The greatest leaders, including our Lord have it. CS Lewis said: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of YOURSELF LESS." What if TODAY, you and I, thought of ourselves less at work, and started to think MORE about others. James 4:10 says it best: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. And how about Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. How will YOU work from a place of humility today?

What's the difference between a career and a vocation? Career is defined as an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life with opportunities for progress. A VOCATION, on the other hand, is defined as a person's main occupation, especially regarded as particularly worthy and requiring great dedication. WOW. That's a big difference. We heard recently that as a Christ-follower, we should seek to have a VOCATION vs. a career. Because having a vocation keeps us focused on building the Kingdom and living and working FOR the Kingdom of God. Which one do YOU have? What could you do this month, to shift YOUR CAREER into a VOCATION?